Isn't that something that we always talk about? Labels not being important? If this is true, then why all the fuss over calling oneself "Wiccan" as opposed to, say, "Ecletic Pagan" or "Wiccan Dedicant" or "Outer-court Wiccan" or "lay-Wiccan"? Maybe even "Pagan Witch", but then again Witchcraft is a whole other matter so that title would be circumstantial.
The point of the matter is that they aren't trying to get you to validate your beliefs and/or practices, but the name you give those beliefs.
A point that crossed my mind was one of knowledge. Imagine for a second that Christianity was a mystery religion like Wicca. Would you call yourself Christian if you only knew the basics of Christianity? If things such as Jesus' name were only known to initiates? You would just be following a man who's name you didn't even know.
Wicca is similar in that respect, as the true names of the Lord and Lady are oath bound and can only be learned with the training that comes with initiation. But that is just one example of knowledge that is hidden from the public.
Now, we know that the point of being initiated by lineaged Wiccans/covens is to learn the Wiccan mysteries, and I've heard many a "solitary eclectic" say they don't need to know them. I had to mention to them though that one of said mysteries is the names of the God and Goddess. If you don't know the actual names of the God and Goddess, how do you know you're worshipping the Wiccan ones? You say "god and goddess" or "Lord and Lady" in prayer and ritual...but there are hundreds of gods and goddesses... how do you know you're praying to the Wiccan ones? How do you know your prayers are reaching the Wiccan ones? One could say "goddess" and you'd get a hundred different replies. So if you don't even know the names, how can you claim "Wicca" as a title if you don't even know which Gods you're invoking and praying to? There is power in a name, and if you want to reach the intended gods, then names are a necessity.
This leads me to my next point.
From what the initiates I know have told me, it is not just knowledge that is kept for initiates, but also understanding. It's all very well practicing the Wiccan rituals, but the main part of it is knowing why you do it.
If you can come up with your own "whys" from your current knowledge and ideas, that's great! Do that all you want, however it can and does start to deviate from Wiccan theology. The thing is, as most of the real "whys" behind Wiccan belief and practice are oath bound, one can only learn them through initiation. This is why, if I wanted to become Wiccan, I would seek out a coven or a teacher so that I could gain all of this wonderful, but hidden, knowledge.
I suppose you could also compare Wicca to Freemasonary. One could learn all they could about Freemasons, even replicate some of their practices, do a "self-initiation"... does that make them a Freemason? Maybe to themselves, but other Freemasons would never consider them so.
How about Catholic priests? One could do all the things that priests do, and believe all the things that priests believe... but does that make them a priest even if they haven't gone through the proper processes and received their Holy Orders?
This would be a better example as Wicca is essentially a religion of clergy. Anyone initiated into Wicca becomes a priest/ess of Wicca. Plus, it was originally (and for the most part still is) a religion made up entirely of clergy, as they were the only ones around. This brings up the reason I chose "lay-Wiccan" as one of the alternative titles. Wicca is subject to change and growth, as all religions are. If it is made up of clergy; the priests and priestesses, then there is the possibility of the layperson. The ones that have not gone through their "Holy orders" so to speak; the lay-Wiccan.
I suppose the main point of my rant is a simple one. The pro-initiation people are not ogres who want to squash your beliefs, not at all! To me, it comes across as "If your personal beliefs and practices are that important to you, you'll realise that labels are not important." All they're trying to say is that you shouldn't be labelled "Wiccan".
The Goddess opens her arms and lets you into her heart, that is a wonderful thing for you... but it is not limited to the title of "Wicca". I know many eclectic Pagans who follow the Wiccan God and Goddess, the Wiccan Sabbats, etc... they know that what they call themselves is not important, but the beliefs in their hearts and minds are. It really is all that matters. So why not avoid the fuss and just call yourself something else? Your beliefs and practices don't have to change, and you'd be avoiding a lot of hassle.
I guess my question is: if titles and labels really aren't important compared to your beliefs, why label yourself with such a title that just attracts criticism?
